Four Voices in Silk

Opening Reception: September 8, 6–8pm.

Artist Talk: September 11, noon, H101

Wearable Art Sale during both events.

Artists: Allyson Christopher, Christine Gauthier-Kelley, Sue Niemi, Leslie Pearlman

Four Voices in Silk presents a vibrant and colorful array of hand-painted silk works by four expert silk artists of Ten Pound Studio, Gloucester whose practices are rooted in the preservation and continuation of original silk-painting techniques.

Working directly on silk with traditional resist and dye methods, these four artists bring distinct artistic voices to a richly expressive medium. Together, these Ten Pound Studio artists form a unique collective in the United States dedicated to practicing and preserving the original serti steam-set techniques of hand-painted silk. Their work represents a rare repository of specialized knowledge, craftsmanship, and skill in original design and hand-painted silk techniques.

The exhibition reveals the remarkable versatility of silk as an art form, featuring elegant wearable art, wall displays, decorative works, and home décor. Each piece demonstrates the luminous color, fluid movement, intricate pattern, and extraordinary depth that can emerge when dye and silk meet through the hands of a skilled artist.

At its heart, Four Voices in Silk is a celebration of both tradition and individual expression. While the artists share a commitment to traditional technique, each brings a distinctive visual language and creative perspective to the medium. The result is an exhibition that honors the history of silk painting while demonstrating its vitality as a contemporary art form.

The Exhibition will be on view at Montserrat College of Art from August 20 through September 24, 2026.  The Opening Celebration and Sale of wearable arts will be held on September 8, 6-8 pm.

A Public Forum and Sale will take place on September 11, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the artists, their techniques, and the importance of preserving this specialized art form. Student opportunities to explore silk painting firsthand will also be offered, with classes and workshops to be announced.

Four Voices in Silk invites audiences to experience the beauty of silk not simply as a material, but as a living artistic tradition—where color, craftsmanship, technique, and four individual voices come together.